The Gospel Coalition is giving away a free ebook this week that you’ll want to download. Finding the Right Hills to Die On: The Case for Theological Triage by Gavin Ortlund is a fantastic treatment of the relative importance of doctrines and the need for unity in essentials and charity with regard to nonessentials. You can get a download of the book from this link.
I have been blessed by Dr. Al Mohler’s concept of theological triage and this is a book-length consideration of this idea. I’ve added my own thoughts on the importance of this question here, and in many other posts over the years.
Dr. Ortlund, the author, shares his own theological journey but aims not to convince us of any of his positions but rather to help us think through how to do theology and how to think about the relative importance of doctrines. So far this book looks really good.
If you stumble upon this post later and the book is no longer free, you can purchase a copy at any of the following links:
A few years back Reformation Heritage Books released The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible. Its general editor is Joel R. Beeke, with Michael P.V. Barrett and Gerald M. Bilkes as OT and NT editors, respectively. This study Bible brings together study notes in the Reformed tradition with the text of the most lasting translation from the era of the Reformation, the King James Bible.
Reformation Heritage has a special right now on all copies of this Bible (as much as 50% off) – including large print and leather versions. Click for details.
This study Bible includes introductions to each book of the Bible and each main division of books. Study notes typically take up around 1/4 of the page, and include a notable feature: “thoughts for personal/family worship” from each chapter. Also included are doctrinal articles and essays on practical Christian living from a Reformed perspective, along with the text of several influential early church creeds and Reformation-era confessions and catechisms. The list of such documents includes the Nicene Creed, the Belgic Confession, the Canons of Dort, and the Westminster Confession of Faith among others. Instead of the King James Translators’ Preface, this study Bible includes a look at the King James Version’s tradition, text and translation. This is essentially a defense of the superiority of the King James Bible while stopping short of declaring it as the only acceptable Bible. The editors admit, “Others who believe in inspiration and preservation as dogmatically as we have a different opinion as to how and where God preserved His Word.”
This study Bible is nicely formatted and easy to read, and I have no doubt that the devotional and study helps included are excellent in the whole. The one draw back in my view, is that it does not preserve the footnotes from the 1611 King James version – but in that respect, it follows the majority of King James Bibles published today. Unfortunately, this leads modern readers to assume that the King James text is more settled than that of the modern versions since the KJV does not resort to footnotes to record the literal Greek or Hebrew meaning, offer an alternate translation or mention that some manuscripts have a different reading. Unfortunately, that is a wrong assumption since the King James translators do all of those things in the dozens of footnotes included in their original 1611 translation. Reading the translators themselves on the topic of Bible translation (by reading their preface) is quite instructive and highlights the challenge facing all Bible translators, and once more I lament that the preface was not included in this KJV study Bible.
That said, this is a helpful tool and worthy of inclusion on your study shelf. The King James Version is still used today in large part because it was such a good translation and it merits careful study, even today.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher. The reviewer was under no obligation to offer a positive review.
About Book Briefs: Book Briefs are book notes, or short-form book reviews. They are my informed evaluation of a book, but stop short of being a full-length book review.
The 1526 Tyndale New Testament is a full color copy of one of two surviving 1526 original New Testaments. The quality is excellent and interested readers will note a different order of the books of the Bible as well as the lack of verses (as verses originated for the New Testament in 1551 from Robert Stephanus’s Greek New Testament). Beautiful illustrations abound as do notes from the translator. This edition includes Tyndale’s “To the Reader” as well as an introduction from David Daniell, a Tyndale biographer.
The 1537 Matthew’s Bible uses the original black letter, block style, heavy font that is difficult to read. I believe the size is scaled down from the original but still larger than the 1526 NT size. This one includes some introductory information as well, and is fascinating to page through – just due to the black letter font alone.
The 1560 Geneva Bible is prized for its extensive commentary in the study notes. The maps are a look back into history. This version, like the others above, is a facsimile. This one uses Roman font which is much more readable.
The 400th Anniversary KJV Bible included in this set is something I don’t possess. It does include the Apocrypha from what I can make out, which is great (since some 1611 edition KJBs inexplicably leave it out). This edition also leaves out some of the original introductory pages, church calendar and genealogy information, and much of the artwork (as per some reviews of this that I have seen). It does preserve the original words and spelling of the 1611 King James Version and I assume it has the marginal notes as well (which are missing from the average King James Bible still in use today).
All in all, this is an excellent price for a great set of Bibles that will give a perspective on the history of our English Bible. Take advantage of this deal today!
For more on historic Bibles: I recommend A Visual History of the King James Bible (and its companion A Visual History of the English Bible). Also I have a review of Zondervan’s 400th Anniversary edition here (although my favorite is the Thomas Nelson 1611 edition that unfortunately leaves out the Apocrypha and seems to be out of print).
Anyone who goes by the title “The Bible Answer Man” must be impervious to criticism. The record shows that controversy did surround both of the men who bore that title over the last fifty plus years. A new book from the daughter of Walter Martin, the original “Bible Answer Man,” gives an insider’s perspective on the life and ministry of both Martin and his successor Hank Hanegraaff — as well as the controversies that enveloped them. The Bible Answer Man: Walter Martin and Hank Hanegraaff: Dr. Martin’s Daughter Reflects on CRI’s Founder, Its History, and Its Current President is self-published but fairly well edited. The content is intriguing and enlightening, part-biography and part-memoir, with some theological rabbit trails and a few controversies addressed head on.
Cindee Martin Morgan’s story is poignant and personal. The book includes family pictures and a look back in time. It also unpacks family heartaches (a girl’s perspective on her parents’ divorce, and a sister’s heartbreak over a legal feud with another family member over the legacy of her father’s work). And more than this, it introduces (or reacquaints) readers to her father and his ministry, as well as to that of Hank Hanegraaff.
Morgan details the beginning of her father’s ministry: Christian Research Institute (CRI) and its move from the east coast to California. She highlights her father’s style and determination to follow the evidence where it may lead (this accounts for his defense of not classifying Seventh Day Adventism as a cult). She also includes interesting behind-the-scenes details, such as Martin’s friendly meal with the Roman Catholic theologian Mitchell Pacwa after a debate they had on the John Ankerberg show. The book includes letters, transcripts of taped shows and lectures, statements by friends and significant leaders, and news-clippings of the time. She marshals this evidence to highlight her father’s gradual rejection of dispensationalism and to detail his stand against Paul Crouch.
Central to the book is Morgan’s defense of her father’s choice to lead his ministry after his death: Hank Hanegraaff. Years after Martin’s death a disgruntled former employee and one of Martin’s family members have alleged that Hanegraaff was not chosen to be groomed as Martin’s eventual replacement. Morgan recounts the story of how first-hand evidence (audio tapes from Martin’s Sunday School class) surfaced to remove any doubts — although sadly not all agree.
Speaking of Hanegraaff, Morgan illustrates how he follow’s Martin’s example in following the evidence no matter the outcome by unpacking his decision to reverse CRI’s assessment of the Local Church movement (Watchman Nee/Witness Lee). Another trait of Hanegraaff’s is his determination to stay busy in ministry during his present fight with cancer. A more troubling decision, however, has impacted the ministry of CRI through lost sponsors and radio stations: namely Hanegraaff’s conversion to the Greek Orthodox Church. Morgan shares her own angst and bewilderment over the news and then takes us on her own journey to understand and appreciate the change. She concludes the book with a lengthy interview she conducted with Hanegraaff.
This book brings to mind the impact that Christian apologetics has had over the last fifty years. That impact owes much to men like Walter Martin. He was not perfect and his methods are not above criticism (accountability to a local church seems missing, and appears to be missing with Hanegraaff as well), but no one can doubt his love for the Lord and his sincerity to follow the Bible. Hanegraaff likewise strikes me as a sincere follower of Christ who is worth listening to, even though I do not condone his embrace of the Greek Orthodox Church. This book can encourage us to follow the examples of these men and study the Scriptures ourselves for answers when it comes to evaluating the cults, the Church and our own doctrine.
Disclaimer: this book was provided by the author for review. The reviewer was under no obligation to provide a positive review.
You can pick up a copy of this book from Amazon.com.
About Book Briefs: Book Briefs are book notes, or short-form book reviews. They are my informed evaluation of a book, but stop short of being a full-length book review.
There are not many theology books that could be recommended equally to lay people in a church Sunday School class or students in a theological seminary. Nor would such widely varying audiences often come away with meaningful takeaways from such a book. Paul vs. James: What We’ve Been Missing in the Faith and Works Debate is just such a rare book. Chris Bruno and Moody Publishers are to be commended for such an attractive and useful book on such an important theological topic.
The attention of the reader is grabbed from the outset of this little book. The cover is catchy with its icon-like ancient paintings of James and Paul and the large font used for the title. The subtitle is explained helpfully by the equally arresting back cover. There, beneath their respective portraits, are Paul’s words on justification by faith apart from works, and James’ words that one is justified by works and not by faith alone. The back cover goes on to introduce the “problem” that is sure to intrigue the casual churchgoer and appeal to those who have already spotted such seeming contradictions in their own study.
In the foreword, Douglas Moo applauds Chris Bruno (the author) for his “readable and thoroughly biblical exploration of this issue” (p. 10). I second Moo’s motion, and agree that the book reads very smoothly and his point is driven home. Both James and Paul agree that the biblical faith that justifies, is a faith that inevitably manifests itself in and through good works. The charts and tables used throughout the book, as well as the large section headers, help ensure that readers of all levels don’t miss the argument.
Bruno begins with a mini-biography of sorts on both Paul and James. Students will catch his position on a wide variety of interpretative questions, and average readers will appreciate a review of just who James and Paul are. Then he goes back further to Abraham, who features prominently in both Paul’s (Galatians, Romans) and James’ (James) statements on justification. Bruno emphasizes that:
…James is standing in Genesis 22, looking back at Abraham’s faith in God’s covenant promises that was confirmed by his ongoing obedience. However, Paul is focused on Abraham’s initial belief in Genesis 12 and 15, looking forward to Abraham’s works of faith. (p. 74)
Paul’s context led him to stress that Abraham’s faith alone was what justified him, whereas James’ situation required him to emphasize that a mere faith without works was not what Abraham had – his faith was ultimately justifying faith because of his works (and his continuing in the faith). Bruno clarifies (concerning James’ assertion that “a person is justified by works” 2:24): “the way that good works serve to justify is by confirming, both during our lives on earth but especially in the last judgment, that we have durable, persevering, good-works-producing faith” (p. 85).
After driving this point home — and my only complaint is that at times Bruno can be overly repetitive — the book concludes with two practical ways of applying the doctrine of justification by faith. Now, up to this point, evangelical Christians will largely agree with his points (Roman Catholics will have a problem however). So this is where Bruno gets risky — he takes on both same-sex marriage and racism. These are polarizing topics in society, but fairly straightforward when it comes to Scripture. The book does not unpack each issue in depth, but illustrates how understanding James and Paul correctly informs how we approach these questions. With respect to same-sex marriage, the necessity of good works leads us to reject same-sex marriage as antithetical to the Gospel and potentially soul-damning. And when it comes to racism, any demands for cultural conformity in our churches can be seen as adding to the faith alone that justifies and are also a threat to the Gospel.
I encourage you to consider Paul vs. James for use in a small group or Sunday school (or even your seminary class). I highly recommend it.
Blurbs:
“Many pit the Old Testament against the New, the Gospels against Paul, James against Paul. Bruno argues that the two apostles, in reality, reinforce each other. The brilliance of this book lies in its accessibility and wholistic understanding of Paul and James. This project will serve the church well in its informed theology, responsible handling of biblical texts, and application for today. Well done.”
—Benjamin J. Gladd, Associate Professor of New Testament in Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, MS
“Bruno demonstrates that faith and works in both Paul and James are not enemies but friends, but at the same time he carefully explains what Paul and James mean by the key terms faith, works, and justification. I am confident that many will come to a clear understanding of how Paul and James fit together by reading this work.”
—Thomas R. Schreiner, Professor of NT Interpretation at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY
The Gospel Coalition is giving away a free ebook this week that you’ll want to download. Finding the Right Hills to Die On: The Case for Theological Triage by Gavin Ortlund is a fantastic treatment of the relative importance of doctrines and the need for unity in essentials and charity with regard to nonessentials. You can get a download of the book from this link.
